ABSTRACT:
Radiation of its different types is one of the major well known mutagens and carcinogens. Ionizingradiation (IR) imposes risks to human health and the environment. Man is exposed to different types of radiation of which those used in diagnosis of diseases, treatment of cancer and occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation . Radiation exposure induces damage on normal cells.IR at low dosesand low dose rates has the potency to initiate carcinogenesis. Genotoxic environmental agents such as IR trigger a cascade of signal transduction pathways for cellular protection. Iraqi radiation workers in radioactive waste treatment and management at Al-Tuwaithasite.This study included 30 Iraqi radiation workers in radioactive waste treatment and management at Al-Tuwaitha site , 20 were non-smokers and 10 smokers, aged (25 - 55 year), as well as 20 male blood samples, aged (26 - 54 year) which are 13 were non-smokers and 7 smokers as control. Three cytogenetic parameters were studied to determine genotoxic effects of occupational exposure of low ionizing radiation doses in peripheral blood lymphocytes of from radiation workers at radioactive waste treatment and management at Al-Tuwaitha site in Baghdad .Investigations were carried out by using Hypoxanthine guanine phosphorribosyl transferase (HPRT) mutation assay were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes for workers and control groups.